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TAGS  COUNTY. 


REPORT  TO  THfi 


BUREAU  OF  IMMIGRATION 


OF 


NEW    MEXICO, 

BY 

THEO.  C.  CAMP, 

Commissioner  of  Immigration. 


iesi. 


SANTA  FE,  N.  M. : 

NEW  MEXICAN  BOOK  AND  JOB  PRINTING  DEPARTMENT. 
1881. 


ffoz 
X 


OFFICERS  AND  COMMISSIONERS 

BUREAU    OF    IMMIGRATION. 


OFFICERS. 

L.  BRADFORD  PRINCE,  President. 
RAFAEL  ROMERO,  Vice  President. 
L.  SPIEGELBERG,  Treasurer 
JNO.  H.  THOMSON,  Secretary. 
MEMBERS. 

At  Large. 

THE  GOVERNOR,  ex-Of'o,  Santa  Fe. 
L.  BRADFORD  PRINCE,  Santa  Fe. 
LEHMAN  SPIEGELBERG,  Santa  Fe. 
T.  F.  CONWAY,  Santa  Fe. 
WILLIAM  KROENIG,  Watrous. 

By  Counties. 
For  Colfnr— 
HARRY  WHIGHAM,  Cimarron. 

For  DOIM  At*a— 
A.  J.  FOUNTAIN,  Mesilla. 

For  Grant — 
W.  H.  LAWRENCE,  Silver  City 


For  Lincoln — 
J.  C.  LEA,  Roswell. 
B.  H.  ELLIS,  Lincoln. 

For  Mora — 

RAFAEL  ROMERO,  La  Cueva. 

For  Itio  Arribti — 

SAMUEL  ELDODT,  San  Juan. 

For  Santa  Fe — 

ROMULO  MARTINEZ,  Santa  Fe. 
SAMUEL  ELLISON,  Santa  Fe. 

For  8<m  Miyiiel — 

TBINIDAD  ROMERO,  Las  Vegas. 
J.  H.  KOOGLER,  Las  Vegas. 

For  Socorro — 

ANTONIO  ABEYTIA  Y  A.,  Socorro. 
MICHAEL  FISHER,  Socorro. 

For  T<u>« — 
THEODORE  C.  CAMP. 

For   Valencia— 
TR-ANQUILINO  LUNA  ,  Los  Lunas . 


For  lirrnalUio— WM.  C.  HA/LEDiNE,  Albuquerque. 


TAOS    COUNTY, 

NEW  MEXICO. 


ANCIENT   BOUNDARIES. — HISTORICAL. 

Taos  county  is  one  of  the  oldest  political  divisions  in  the  Ter- 
ritory, the  missions  at  the  pueblos  of  Taos  and  Picuris,  dating 
back  to  the  early  Spanish  settlements. 

At  the  date  of  the  American  occupation  the  boundaries  of  the 
county  of  Taos  extended  across  the  Territory  from  east  to  west;  and 
then  included  all  of  Southern  Colorado  south  of  the  Tepesta,  or  Ar- 
kansas river,  besides  the  counties  of  Colfax  and  Mora  and  so  much 
of  Rio  Arriba  county  as  lies  immediately  west  of  the  present  county 
boundaries. 

The  village  of  Fernandez  de  Taos  was  the  residence  of  the  Very 
Reverend  Antonio  Jose  Martinez,  Vicar  of  Taos,  who,  in  his  life- 
time, was  distinguished  as  an  educator,  in  establishing  the  first 
schools  in  New  Mexico  of  practical  value  under  the  Republic,  and 
for  his  philanthropic,  progressive  and  valuable  efforts  in  behalf  of 
his  people  and  the  Territory.  Under  his  special  instruction  many  of 
the  prominent  citizens  of  the  Territory  of  to-day  were  educated, 
some  of  whom  further  pursued  their  studies  at  the  college  of  Duran- 
go,  and  were  admitted  and  returned  to  the  Territory  as  priests. 

Under  Vicar  Martinez  the  first  printing  office  was  introduced  in 
that  portion  of  the  United  States  lying  west  of  the  Mississippi  val- 
ley. This  also  was  locate'd  at  Taos,  and  upon  it,  under  the  Vicar, 


4      REPORT  OF  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  TAOS  COUNTY. 

or  "Father"  Martinez,  as  he  was  affectionately  called  by  the  people, 
was  printed  the  first  newspaper  published  in  this  portion  of  the  Re- 
public named. 

Fernandez  de  Taos  was  also  the  first  port  of  entry  established 
for  merchandise  brought  across  the  plains  to  the  Territory  from  the 
East. 

The  county  also  includes  among  the  early  American  residents 
Col.  "Kit"  Carson  and  Gov.  William  Bent,  (both  of  whom  are  bu- 
ried at  Taos,)  Col.  Ceran  St.  Vrain,  Judge  Beaubien,  Lucien  Stew- 
art and  others — names  as  familiar  throughout  the  West  as  house- 
hold words.  And  so,  throughout,  Taos  county  is  prominently  identi- 
fied with  the  history  of  the  Territory. 

PRESENT    BOUNDARIES    AND    TOPOGRAPHY. 

The  present  boundaries  of  Taos  county  are,  on  the  north  by  the 
Colorado  line;  east  by  the  Sangre  del  Cristo  range  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains;  south  by  Rio  Arriba  county,  the  line  being  about  twenty 
miles  south  of  Fernandez  de  Taos;  and  on  the  west  by  the  Mountain 
divide  west  of  the  Rio  Grande.  The  county  contains  about  2,700 
square  miles. 

The  general  elevation  is  from  6,000  to  7,000  feet;  some  of  the 
mountain  peaks  rise  to  over  13,000  feet.  The  general  topography 
of  the  county  is  that  of  an  immense  valley,  divided  centrally  by  the 
Rio  Grande.  In  turn  it  is  intersected  by  smaller  valleys,  border- 
ing on  mountain  streams.  The  county  is  an  enlarged  extension  of 
the  San  Luis  valley,  which  lies  to  the  north  in  southern  Colorado. 

POPULATION  AND  IMMIGRATION. 

The  population  is  in  the  neighborhood  of  10,000,  of  which  pro- 
bably four-fifths  are  of  the  Mexican  race,  and  the  remainder  East- 
ern people. 

Immigration  has  increased  100  per  cent,  within  the  last  year, 
principally  from  Colorado,  and  one  need  not  fear  to  predict  a  similar 
increase  yearly,  as  the  advantages  of  the  county  become  more  gen- 
erally known.  Taos  county,  in  connection  with  the  balance  of  the 
Territory,  has  been  more  or  less  inaccessible.  This  has  been  re- 
cently remedied  almost  wholly,  by  the  construction  of  the  Denver 


KEPORT  OF  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  TA.OS  COUNTY.  5    jj 

: .  |j 

and  Rio  Grande  Railway,  which  traverses  the  county  from  north  to   | 
south  and  brings  the  county   into  direct  communication  with    the  j! 
Eastern  world.     An  early  completion  of  the  road  south  to  Santa  Fe 
is  now  reasonably  certain. 

Stranger,  if  you  wish  to  visit  Taos  come  via  Pueblo,  Colorado, 
over  the  Denver  and  Rio  Grande  Railway,  or  over  theAtchison,  To-    : 
peka  &  Santa  Fe  Railway  via  Santa  Fe. 

BswrKT'-  -n> 

TIM  IS  Kit. 

There  is  an  abundance  of  good  tinioer  lying  in  the  foot-hills  and 
mountains,  some  extending  down  upon  the  plains.     It  consists  prin- 
cipally of  mountain  pine,  and  is  valuable  for  general  purposes,  some 
of  the  trees  growing  to  four  feet  and  over  in  diameter.     Pinon  is  in    ! 
quantity  and  is  used  for  fuel,  for  which  purpose  it  cannot  be  sur-   j 
passed.     The  cottonwood,  ash,  cedar  and  oak  are  also  indigenous, 
and  more  or  less  valuable.     The  price  of  good  merchantable  lumber 
is  from  $18  to  $30   per  1,000  feet,  varying  in   localities.     These 
prices  will  be  reduced  when  more  lumber  is  required  and  mills  intro- 
duced. 

WATER — IRRIGATION. 

Taos  county  is  without  doubt  one  of  the  very  best  watered  por- 
tions of  the  Territory.  The  water-shed  falls  easily  towards  the  Rio 
Grande,  on  each  side,  the  grades  thus  being  perfect  for  irrigation. 
The  entire  county  from  north  to  south  is  intersected  by  never  fail- 
ing mountain  streams  which  are  named,  beginning  at  the  south,  the 
Aguas  Calientas,  El  Rio  Grande  Ohiquito,  Pueblo  Creek,  Rio  Luce- 
ro  and  Arroyo  Seco  Rio.  The  last  four  unite  and  form  the  Rio 
Taos.  Further  north  are  the  Rio  Hondo,  Rio  San  Cristoval  and  Red 
river.  From  the  head  waters  of  the  latter  water  is  conducted  by 
ditch  through  the  mountains  into  Coif  ax  county.  The  remaining 
streams  are  the  Caveresta  and  Calabria.  These  rivers  throughout 
the  year  are  never  dry  and  with  a  proper  system  of  dams  and  reser- 
voirs would  furnish  water  to  irrigate  every  available  foot  of  agricul- 
tural land  in  the  county.  The  quantity  of  water  which  goes  to 
waste  in  the  spring  from  melting  snows  is  simply  vast.  There  is 


6  REPORT  OF  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  TAOS  COUNTY. 

sufficient,  however,  without  this  work  to  irrigate  at  least  five  times  the 
amount  of  land  at  present  utilized. 

AGRICULTURAL. 

The  agricultural  interests  of  this  county  are  still  to  a  great  ex  • 
tent  carried  on  in  the  primitive  style  of  the  middle  ages,  including 
the  wooden  plow,  grain  cut  with  a  sickle,  and  thrashing  is  )y  the  an  - 
cient  process  of  treading  it  out,  yet  the  results  obtained  ai  wonder- 
ful, almost  beyond  belief.  The  soil  around  and  adjacent  t  Fernan- 
dez de  Taos,  has  been  in  cultivation  for  centuries,  and  U  3  use  of 
fertilizers  is  unknown  beyond  the  sediment  in  the  water  used  for  ir- 
rigation. 

In  view  of  this  fact,  ninety  bushels  of  wheat  to  an  acre,  (an- 
other fact  in  a  few  instances,)  is  startling. 

The  soil  in  the  valley  is  a  dark  loam  and  very  deep,  and  espee- 
iallv  rich  in  wheat  bearing  properties. 

The  wheat  raised  is  of  a  superior  quality,  equalling,  and  I  think 
excelling,  the  finest  grades  grown  in  Colorado.  The  berry  is  exceed- 
ingly large  and  plump;  a  bushel  of  the  same  will  average  in  weight 
from  65  to  68  pounds,  the  latter  weight  being  by  no  means  uncom- 
mon. The  average  yield  is  about  fifteen  for  one. 

It  is  one  of  the  few  sections  of  the  Territory  that  is  adapted  to 
the  growing  of  potatoes.  Vegetables  of  all  kinds  grow  to  astonish  - 
ing  size  and  perfection.  Cabbage  weighing  from  fifty  to  seventy 
pounds;  beets  equally  large  in  proportion,  lettuce,  turnips,  parsnips, 
onions,  peas  and  beans',  the  latter  of  superior  quality  being  much 
sweeter  than  the  common  white  bean  and  commanding  a  higher  price. 
Corn  is  also  a  staple  crop.  Grasses  grow  with  luxuriance,  the  Taos 
valley  farmers  raising  sufficient  hay  for  their  own  use  and  some  for 
market. 

The  amount  of  land  under  the  plow  does  not  exceed  one-seventh 
of  the  available  area  adapted  to  cultivation.  Numerous  ancient 
ruins,  and  old  ranches,  abandoned  in  the  days  of  hostile  Indians, 
show  that  at  one  time  this  county  supported  a  much  larger  popula- 
tion than  at  present.  It  may  be  assuring  to  at  once  remark  that  all 
titles  of  nomadic  Indians  have  been  extinguished  and  that  the  last 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  TAOS  COUNTY.  7 

one  of  the  hostiles  were  removed  from  the  county  a  generation  since. 
What  would  be  an  improvement  upon  present  methods  of  farming,  is 
energy  and  modern  implements  and  ideas.  As  evidence  of  what  the 
land  is  capable  of,  we  mention  the  fact  that  two  or  three  acres  will 
furnish  a  Mexican  ranchman  and  family  with  a  living  year  after 
year.  The  latter  keeps,  however,  a  small  flock  or  herd  upon  the  ad- 
jacent hills. 

Agriculture  is,  of  course,  dependent  upon  irrigation  which  begins 
at  planting  time,  and  dates  with  northern  Ohio  and  Iowa,  and  con- 
tinues until  the  rainy  season  commences,  which  is  generally  about 
the  middle  of  July,  from  which  time  forward  the  rain  is  usually 
sufficient  in  regularity  to  dispense  with  irrigation. 

HORTICULTURE. 

The  capabilities  of  the  county  in  horticulture  have  not  yet  been 
tested  locally.  From  the  character  of  the  county,  however,  as  com- 
pared with  other  sections  known  to  be  well  adapted  to  fruit,  it  is  be- 
lieved that  when  the  test  shall  have  been  applied,  it  will  be  found 
among  the  best  of  northern  counties. 

LAND. 

While  much  of  the  land  under  ditch  is  held  under  grants,  it  can 
in  many  cases  be  purchased  at  reasonable  figures,  carrying  with  it 
the  right  to  use  the  present  acequias  or  ditches. 

SHEEP   AND    CATTLE    RAISING. 

Sheep  raising  is  a  large  industry  and  is  very  profitable,  the 
wool  finding  a  ready  market  at  from  fourteen  to  twenty-five  cents  per 
pound.  The  winters  are  so  mild  the  sheep  are  supported  on  the 
range  the  year  round.  It  is  of  rare  occurrence  that  any  are  lost. 

Cattle  and  horses  are  also  bred  and  raised  in  considerable  num- 
bers. The  horses  are  a  good  specie  of  Broncho  and  are  in  de- 
mand at  from  thirty  to  sixty  dollars  per  head. 

MINING. 

There  is  little  or  no  doubt  that  it  is  from  its  mines  that  the 
future  prosperity  of  Taos  county  will  be  largely  insured.  There 


8  REPORT  OF  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  TAOS  COUNTY. 

has  been  considerable  work  done  within  the  last  year  and  new  mines 
are  being  discovered  daily.  They  bear  a  very  small  proportion  in- 
deed to  what  we  confidently  look  for  in  the  near  future.  The  for- 
mation of  the  county,  the  large  quantity  of  rich  float  found  every- 
where, and  also  the  amount  of  placer  deposits,  indicate  a  bright  fu- 
ture. Taking  into  consideration  that  the  mountains  have  never 
been  thoroughly  prospected,  and  that  until  recently  prospecting  has 
been  confined  to  the  foothills,  everything  predicts  success  to  the  in- 
telligent miner.  Among  the  mines  which  are  at  this  date  (1881) 
being  rapidly  developed,  may  be  mentioned  those  in  the  districts  of 
the  Picuris,  Arroyo  Hondo  and  Rio  Hondo.  They  variously  abound 
in  gold  and  silver  bearing  ores,  those  of  the  Picuris  being  very  rich 
in  copper  and  gold.  New  developments  extending  more  into  the 
mountains  are  continually  being  made,  and  are  showing  well;  while 
on  the  Rio  Hondo  there  are  very  extensive  placers  which  are  being 
worked  by  a  Santa  Fe  company  with  Hydraulic  works  and  sluices. 

Another  company  has  lately  commenced  operations  on  the 
Rio  Colorado. 

CLIMATE. 

The  climate  of  Taos  county  is  very  near  perfection.  Its  al- 
titude insures  a  temperature  during  the  summer  that  is  delightful, 
the  heat  of  the  day  being  relieved  by  dry  and  bracing  breezes,  and 
at  night  a  thick  blanket  is  always  a  comfortable  covering.  In  win- 
ter while  the  snow  falls  plentifully  upon  the  mountains,  it  rarely  ap- 
pears in  the  valleys  in  quantity,  and  in  any  event  remains  but  a 
short  time.  The  temperature  is  almost  invariably  equable,  being 
protected  by  the  mountains  from  the  cold  storms.  The  winter  ther- 
mometer averages  about  25  degrees  at  night  and  rising  during  the 
day  to  35  or  40  degrees,  sometimes  higher.  To  persons  afflicted 
with  lung  complaints  and  bronchial  affections,  it  is  especially  adapt- 
ed. 

COUNTY    SEAT    AND   TOWNS. 

The  county  seat  and  principal  town  is  Fernandez  de  Taos.  It 
is  situated  seventy- five  miles  north  of  Santa  Fe  at  an  elevation  of  a 
few  feet  lower.  It  is  beautifully  situated  in  the  midst  of  a  lovely 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  TAOS  COUNTY. 


valley,  at  the  confluence  of  the  Rio  Taos  and  Pueblo  Creek.  The 
valley  is  broad  and  extremely  fertile.  We  cannot  but  admire  the 
good  judgment  of  the  ancients  in  selecting  this  site  for  their  town. 

Its  population  is  about  2,000.  It  is  well  supplied  with  mail  fa- 
cilities over  the  Denver  and  Rio  Grande  Railway,  the  passenger 
station  being  at  Embudo. 

It  has  a  number  of  stores  and  a  good  hotel,  which  with  the  de- 
lightful climate  offers  great  inducements  as  a  health  resort. 

The  Taos  valley  is  the  center  of  the  population  of  the  county. 
There  are  several  small  plazas  or  towns  scattered  over  the  valley, 
containing  together  about  the  same  population  as  Fernandez  de 
Taos.  Of  these  we  name  El  Ranches  de  Taos,  where  there  is  a 
large  flouring  mill,  producing  flour  of  the  finest  quality,  ranking  with 
the  best. 

Arroyo  Seco,  another  large  town,  is  located  on  the  river  of  that 
name,  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains  and  is  unrivalled  for  its  beautiful 
location.  The  principal  other  towns  are  Arroyo  Homo,  San  Anto- 
nio, Red  River  Town,  Cerro,  Calabria  and  Castilla. 

ATTRACTIONS. 

To  the  tourist  and  pleasure  seeker  Tabs  presents  many  attrac- 
tions. The  rivers  abound  in  trout  and  other  fish.  In  the  mountains 
are  a  number  of  lakes,  filled  with  trout,  while  bear,  mountain  lions, 
deer  and  occasionally  elk  are  counted  among  the  larger  game.  Be- 
sides these  smaller  game  is  in  abundance,  and  enchanting  scenery  to 
suit  the  most  fastidious  lover  of  nature. 

A  place  of  absorbing  interest  is  the  Indian  Pueblo  of  Taos,  oc- 
cupied by  village  Indians  for  centuries  and  antedating  the  Spanish 
occupation.  They  are  located  three  miles  northeast  of  the  town  of 
Fernandez. 

It  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  and  interesting  of  the  Pueblos 
in  the  Territory  as  well  as  one  of  the  wealthiest.  It  consists 
of  two  distinct  congregations  of  communistic  houses,  built  or  piled 
one  above  the  other  until  they  reach  in  one  place  the  height  of  seven 
stories.  This  will  be  recognized  as  the  more  remarkable  when  the 
fact  is  stated,  that  they  are  built  of  sun-dried  mud  bricks.  They  are 


10  REPORT  OF  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  TAOS  COUNTY. 

entered  through  the  roof,  or  in  other  words,  the  front  door  is  on  tos> 
of  the  house,  a  ladder  ascending  and  descending.  These  commun* 
houses  were  built  so  originally  for  protection  from  the  Nomads  or 
plains  Indians.  They  have  a  beautiful  reservation  four  miles  squaiv. 
which  is  in  the  highest  state  of  cultivation,  their  farming  compar- 
ing favorably  with  their  neighbors.  The  Indians  number  about  four 
hundred  and  are  reputed  converts  of  the  Roman  Church;  though  they 
still  retain  many  of  their  ancient  ceremonies,  they  hold  tenaciously 
to  their  old  traditions  abouc  Montezuma,  and  three  or  four  young 
men  are  selected  and  taught  by  their  Cacique,  the  history  of  the 
tribe.  During  pupilage  they  are  closely  confined  for  a  year  in  the 
Estufas  or  Temples  and  not  allowed  to  leave  except  by  night.  The 
Indian  believes  that  confining  themselves  to  the  subject  in  hand,  will 
impress  the  lesson  deeply  into  the  mind. 

At  periods  they  celebrate  publicly  certain  of  their  feasts  which 
attract  the  entire  country  people,  and  many  from  other  parts.  On 
these  festive  occasions  the  highly  prized  relic  of  their  tribe  is 
I  brought  forth,  consisting  of  the  veritable  drum  of  Montezuma.  It 
looks  ancient  enough.  The  music  is  beat  out  of  this  sacred  relic  by 
the  head  chiefs  only.  It  is  the  popular  belief  that  they  still  keep 
the  sacred  fire  of  Montezjima  in  existence.  The  tribe  is  eminently 
peaceful  and  are  good  citizens. 

HOT    SPRINGS. 

Among  the  attractions  of  Taos  county  are  the  hot  springs,  or 
Ojo  Caliente.  These  are  situated  within  eight  miles  of  Barranca 
Station,  on  the  Denver  and  Rio  Grande  Railway,  and  already  occupy 
a  prominent  position  among  medical  springs.  There  have  been  a 
good  hotel  and  bath  house  erected,  and  they  already  count  annually 
visitors  from  states  both  far  and  near.  They  are  particularly  effica- 
cious in  cases  of  rheumatism,  pleurisy  and  for  skin  diseases  gener- 
ally. They  are  pleasantly  situated  and  will  soon  obtain  a  very  high 
and  deserved  popularity. 

There  are  also  other  Hot  Springs  situated  near  Fernandez  de 
Taos,  that  for  generations  have  been  visited  annually  by  local  resi- 
dents for  bathing  and  other  sanitary  purposes. 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  TAOS  COUNTY.  11 

Another  interesting  sight  is  the  Canon  ot:  the  Bio  Grapde,  with 
walls  in  places  fifteen  hundred  feet  in  height. 

The  beautiful  scenery,  charming  climate,  cheapness  of  living, 
make  Taos  county  one  of  the  most  desirable  sections  in  the  Territory 
Its  settings  and  surroundings  embody  all  the  essential  requisites,  not 
only  for  a  pleasure  resort  and  a  happy  home,  but  also  for  an  indus- 
trial and  commercial  people.  The  people  here  are  a  peaceful,  law- 
abiding  yeomanry,  there  being  fewer  cases  of  extreme  wealth  and 
poverty  and  less  disorder  and  lawlessness,  and  a  higher  average  of  gen- 
eral thrift  and  comfort,  than  is  found  on  most  portions  of  the  higher 
line  of  the  continent. 

Low  grade  professional  men  and  drones  are  not  wanted.  To 
good  energetic  people  possessing  a  few  hundred  dollars  capital  Taos 
county  presents  a  splendid  field  and  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when 
it  will  be  of  the  most  wealthy,  as  it  is  now  one  of  the  grand  garden 
spots  of  the  earth. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

THEO.  C.  CAMP, 

Commissioner. 

TERRITORY  OF  NEW  MEXICO,  , 

FERNANDEZ  DE  TAOS,  TAOS  COUNTY. 

September,  1881,     ) 


